Wild dogs were
once widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Today, viable populations
may exist in only a handful of countries. Habitat loss and human persecution
are the main causes of decline. Wild dogs fall victim to snaring, shooting,
and speeding vehicles on roadways. This graphic picture is of a yearling
female that died in a snare set by a poacher for antelope. Disease such
as rabies and distemper may also threaten some wild dog populations.

The increasing needs of a growing
human population place greater demands on natural resources, inevitably
shrinking the living space for wildlife.The African
Wild Dog Conservancy is committed to community-based
research and education to help conserve this unique canid.

Interesting Facts about Wild Dogs

African wild dogs are not domestic dogs
gone wild, nor are they closely related to wolves. Learn more about
their genetic relationship
to other canids.